Gable top container

ABSTRACT

A gable top container and blank for forming same. The container includes inclined roof panels which define a gable opening therethrough, and a pair of end closure panels for closing opposite ends of the gable opening. Roof panels of the gable top structure are provided with novel score line configurations for causing one of the end closure panels to snap outwardly forming a pouring spout.

nited States Patent [191 acEwen [451 July 23, 1974 GABLE TOP CONTAINER [75] Inventor: George E. MacEwen, Kansas City,

[73] Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company,

Bartlesville, Okla.

[22] Filed: Apr. 14, 1970 [21] Appl. No; 28,348

[52] US. Cl. 229/17 G [51] Int. Cl 865d 5/72 [58] Field of Search 229/17 G [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,348,755 10/1967 MacEwen 229/17 G 3,349,988 10/1967 Homing 229/17 G 3,355,083 11/1967 Wilcox 229/17 G 3,450,328 6/1969 Barrett 3,554,430 l/l97l MacEwen 229/17 G Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-H. S. Lane [5 7 ABSTRACT A gable top container and blank for forming same. The container includes inclined roof panels which define a gable opening therethrough, and a pair of end closure panels for closing opposite ends of the gable opening. Roof panels of the gable top structure are provided with novel score line configurations for caus ing one of the end closure panels to snap outwardly forming a pouring spout.

8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJULNIQH 3.825.168

- sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR. I G. E. MocEWEN BY f A TTORNEVS GABLE TOP CONTAINER This invention relates to blanks for forming gable top monly used in the dairy industry for packaging milk,

orange juice, lemonade, and the like. A gable top closure structure consists generally of inclined roof panels which form gable end openings, and a pair of end closure panels inclined upwardly into the gable end openings. The end closure panels have integral fold-back panels that assume a position lying against the underside of the front and rearroof panels. The fold-back panels and the front and rear roof panels are formed with integral ridge panels, which are arranged in vertical contacting relation and are joined together by some form of adhesive, usually by a bonding of the thermoplastic coating, to form the ridge of the gable top.

Pry score lines are formed on one side of each of the roof panels so that when the roof panels and companion fold-back panels are moved in opposite directions the uncovered end closure panel is permitted to snap out forming a pouring spout. The pry score lines shown in the aforementioned patent are configurated to provide a beam which when angularly disposed in relation to the plane of its associated roof panel imparts an outward force on the end closure panel causing it to snap open. While this configuration has been sstisfactory for large containers, e.g., one-half gallon or larger, it has not been entirely reliable for small containers, e.g., quart or smaller cartons. The difficulty arises from the premature breaking of one of the score lines preventing the complete development of the beam portion.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel score line configuration which improves the snap action of the closure end to form the pouring spout. Another object is to improve the sealability of the gable top container.

These and other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following disclosure taken in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

to the lower end of the walls 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22 (see FIG. 1). Extending upwardly from the horizontal score lines 16 and aligned generally with vertical score lines 12, 13, 14 and 15 are additional score lines 23, 24, 25 and 26, respectively. The score lines 23, 24, 25 and 26 are arranged in parallel relation and all terminate near the upper edge of the carton blank. A second continuous, generally horizontal score line 27, in combination with score lines 23, 24, 25 and 26, defines ridge panels FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carton constructed score line 16 define side wall panels 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22. In the assembled condition, then, the panel 17 comprises the frontwall of the container,- panels 21 and 22 the side walls, and panels 18,19 bonded together in overlapping relation comprise the rear panel of the container. A bottom closure 20 is permanently sealed 29, 33-34 which on the blank are aligned with front wall 17 and rear wall 18-19, respectively. Thus when the carton is assembled, overlapping ridges 33 and 34 are bonded together in abutting relation (see FIG. 1).

Score lines 16, 24, 25 and 27 define a rectangular roof panel 28, and score lines 26, 16, 27 and 23 define roof panel comprising panels 31-32 bonded together in overlapping relation. I

Score lines 23, 24, 16 and 27 define a closure panel which is divided into triangular sections 37, 38 and 39 by converging score lines 35 and 36. The score lines 35 and 36 meet at the junction with score line 27 forming the apex 37a of section 37 and a score line 41 extends upwardly to near the blank edge from the apex 37a. Triangular section 37 comprises the end. closure panel for one of the gable openings defined by roof panels 28 and 31-32 and triangular sections 39 and 38 comprise the fold-back panels which underlie the roof panels 28 and 31-32, respectively, in the assembled carton. Panel 37 in the assembled container extends angularly through the gable opening and the apex 37a is located near the midpoint of the upper ridge of the roof panels 28 and 31-32. Score lines 23, 24, 27 and 41 define two ridge panels 42 and 43 which fold inwardly and are maintained in abutting relation between the confronting ridge panels 29 and 33-34 surmounting the roof panels 28 and 31-32, respectively. Score lines 25, 26, 16 and 27 define a second closure panel which is divided into polygonal sections 46, 47 and 48 by the angulated score lines 44,45 and an angulated portion 16a, 16b, and 16c of score'line 16. Score lines 44 and 45 meet at the junction with score 27 forming the apex 46a of section 46 and score 49 extends upwardly to near the edge of the blank from the apex 46a. Score lines 25, 26, 27 and 49 defineridge panels 51 and 52 which when folded about score 49 are maintained in abutting relation between ridge panels 29 and 33-34 surmounting roof panels 28 and 31-32, respectively. In

the assembled container, section 46 comprises the end closure for gable opening defined by roof panels 28 and 31-32, and sections 47 and 48 comprise the fold-back panelswhich underlie portions of roof panels 28 and 31-32. Score line 16 which defines the bottom edge of closure panel 46 is angulated having portions 16a, 16b, I

and 16c. Portion 16a joins score 44 at the junction with score 14 and section joins score 45 at the junction with score 15. These junctions are located slightly below the score 16 of panels 17 and 18. The angular configuration afforded by 16a, 16b and 16c creates a downward pulling force' on closure panel 46 so that its apex 46a is drawn downward and inward so as to maintain a forceful engagement of the'folded edge along score line 49 with the folded'edge alongscore line 41, which extend upwardly from apex 46a and 37a, respectively, thereby providing a secure top seal;

The score lines 44 and 45 are angulated having portions 44a, 44b and 45a,45b, respectively. Portions 44a and 45a converge upwardly from a lower hinge line provided by 16a,l6b,l6c, define a generally trapezoidal section 46b. Portions 44b and 45b extend upwardly from the upper ends of 44a and 45a, respectively, terminating at apex 46a. The portions 44b and 45b define an upper portion triangular section 460 of panel 46 which has its base integral with the generally lower portion trapezoidal section 46b. A weakened line of severance 60 passes horizontally through the unscored portions of scores 44b and 45b. The junctions of 44a to 44b, and 45a to 45b are located a distance below the severance line 60. Thus, when a prying pressure is applied to panel section 46, the portion of panel section 46 below the severance linesnaps open, the panel section 46 and the fold-back panels 47 and 48 defining a pouring spout. The angular configuration of score lines 44 and 45 provide an improved pouring spout characterized as narrow and pointed. A strip of tape 61 is bonded to the closure panel sections 46,47,48 in overlying relation to the weakened line of severance 60. The tape 61 is applied over the weakened line of severance 60 and heat sealed to the entire marginal surface about the weakened line of severance. The tape 61 can be formed of thermoplastic material or it can be a nonthermoplastic material provided with a coating of thermoplastic material compatible and heat scalable to the thermoplastic coating on the container. It is presently preferable that the nonthermoplastic material have a heat reflective outer surface to prevent any weakening of the bond between the tape 61 and the container during the time the top section of the container is being subjected to radiant heat in preparation for sealing the rib panels to form the central laminar ridge. The ends 62 of tape 61 extend beyond the ends of the closure panel sections 46,47,48 to provide grasping tabs (FIG. 1).

It has been found that the angular attitude of portions 44b and 45b provides for a more uniform seal by tape 61 over the line of severance 60 than with the prior art configuration which had an included angle at 460 much greater than that disclosed herein. With the higher included angle between score lines 44 and 45, the tape 61 wrinkles at the angular edges between the panel section 46 and panel sections 47 and 48. The reduced included angle between scores 44 and 45 places the panel 46 bounding severance line 60 in a more vertical attitude on the completed container permitting the tape to lie flatter at the edges of panels 46, 47 and 48.

In order to provide a snap action for opening and closing the pouring spout, the roof panels 28 and 31 are provided with pry score lines shown generally as 71,72 and 74,75, respectively. Since the pairs of pry score lines 71,72 and 74,75 are substantially identical, only the configuration of pair 71-72 will be described, it being understood that 74-75 are similarly configurated.

In the aforementioned patent, the score lines 71 and 72 were symmetrically disposed on either side of an imaginary line 73 which extended diagonally from a medial point on score line 27 to the junction of score line 16 to score line 14. The pry score lines 71 and 72 according to this invention are arranged in asymmetric relation. Score lines 71 and 72 have their point of origin 80 located on score line 27 at substantially a median point of said score line 27. The length of the portion of score line 27 from the origin 80 of score lines 71 and 72 to the score line 14 is substantially the same as the length of the portion of score line 27 from score line 14 to apex 46a. Lower score line 71 is comprised of three portions, 71a, 71b, and 71c. Score line 71a, which is the upper end portion of score line 71, begins at origin and 710 terminates at the junction of score lines 16 and 14. Score line 71a extends from orifice 80 downwardly and in a direction toward sidewall 22. Score line 71b begins at the terminal end of score line 71a thereby forming junction 82 which is located a distance from score line 14 that is substantially identical to the distance of junction 84 and of score lines 44a and 44b from score line 14. Score line 71b extends from junction 82 downwardly and in a direction toward sidewall 22 at an angle of about 3545 with score line 27. Score line 710 begins at the terminal end of score line 71b thereby forming junction 86 which is located a distance from score line 14 that is less than the distance between score line 14 and a point in 440 that is at substantially the same elevation as junction 86. Score lines 71b and 710 form a lower end portion of score line 71.

By so constructing lower score line 71 relative to score line 44, on the erected condition of the carton, the plane of section 46c lies along score line 71a. The plane of section 46b lies along imaginary line 88. Score line 72 is comprised of two score lines 72a and 72b. Score line 72a begins at origin 80 and extends downwardly and outwardly toward sidewall 22 between score lines 71 and 14 and terminates at point 90 that is at an elevation substantially the same as junction 82 and lower than severance line 60. Score line 72b begins at the terminal end of score line 72a, extends toward junction 86, and terminates at a location spaced from junction 86. Pry score lines 71, 72 define an intermediate elongate beam section 77 and are so arranged that score 71 first breaks when section 47 and portion 28a of panel 28 are moved outwardly, causing the beam section 77 to be angularly disposed in relation to the plane of roof panel 28. Continued outward movement of section 47 and 28a acts as a lever having the fulcrum at score line 72 to cause panel sections 46 to snap outwardly from the line of severance 60 after the tape 61 has been removed.

In order to ensure that the score 71 breaks first, the score 72 is configurated to present more resistance to breaking. More specifically, the score 72 has portions 72a and 72b. There is an unscored portion between the end of 72b and the junction 86. The unscored portion presents additional resistance to breaking of the score 72 thereby insuring that score 71 breaks first. The junction of score portion 44a and 44b on the end closure panel defined by sections 46,47,48 is geometrically located so that pry force is applied by the point 90 of section 77 which is proximate the line of weakness 60. Thus when the pry force is applied about the fulcrum defined by score 72, pry force is applied at the junction of 44a,44b by the point 90 snapping the spout outwardly to a stable pouring position. Similarly when the spout is forced inwardly to an over center position in relation to the fulcrum defined by score 72, the spout is snapped inwardly to a stable closed position.

The container can be opened by applying outward pressure against the fold-back panel sections 47 and 48 to cause separation of the bond between adjacent outer faces of rib panels 51 and 52. Initial outward movement causes the roof panels 28, 31-32 to break along the pry score lines 71 and 74, respectively. Note that the increased resistance of scores 72 and 75 ensures that the breaking will be first along scores 71,74. Additional outward movement of roof panels 28, 31-32 causes a break along score lines 72 and 75 to form the elongate beam structure 77 forming the point 90. The lever action applies a maximum force at the junction 84 of a to 44b and junction 85 of 45a to 45b by points 90 and 91 causing splitting along the line of weakness 60 which in turn permits the spout defined by panel sections 46,47,48 to snap outwardly to a pouring position. The over center position of the panel 46 in relation to scores and 26 maintains the spout in a stable pouring position. Now when the panel 46 is moved toward the retracted position to a point over center of the score lines 25 and26, the spout snaps to a stable closed position. The opening and closing of the spout is identical to that disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

While the invention has been illustrated with the presently preferred container employing weakened line of severance 60, it is applicable to other side opening containers which do not utilize a weakened line of severance or which provide the weakened line of severance in a different location and of a different configuration.

Reasonable variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims to the invention.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A gable top container of sheet material including a tubular body having four side walls; a bottom closure fixed to said body; a pair of opposed roof panels inclining toward each other and overlying the top of said body; a pair of opposed end closure panels enfolded between said roof panels from the opposite gable ends formed by the latter; first and second pairs of fold-back panels, each pair of fold-back panels being joined to opposite sides of a respective one of said end closure panels along the fold lines which are in proximity with said roof panels, said fold-back panels being folded against the underside of said roof panels; a ridge panel surmounting each of said roof panels; a ridge panel surmounting each of said fold-back panels, each pair of ridge panels surmounting a pair of fold-back panels being hinged together at the apex of the contiguous end closure panels and being folded about said hinge join der in face-to-face relation between the ridge panels surmounting said roof panels, wherein the improvement comprises lower and upper score lines located in each of said pair of roof panels, said lower and upper score lines each having upper and lower end parts defining an elongate beam section extending diagonally from the upper edge of their respective roof panels toward the lower corner thereof, the upper end of said beam section being tapered to terminate substantially in a point on said upper edge, said lower score line extending continuously from said upper edge to said lower corner, the lower end of said upper score line terminating at a point longitudinally spaced from said lower corner and laterally spaced from said lower score line, said lower end of said upper score line defining the lower end of said beam section, the plane of an upper end portion of said closure panel lying along the upper end portion of the lower score line and the plane of the lower end portion of said closure panel lying adjacent and at a lower elevation than the lower end portion of thelower score line.

tion interconnecting the lower end of said lower score line second portion and said lower corner forming a triangle with the plane of the lower portion of the closure panel, and said upper score line includes first and sec- 0nd score portions, said upper score line first portion interconnecting the upper end of said upper score line second portion and said upper edge, said upper score line second portion extending from the lower end of said upper score line first portion in a downwardly converging direction toward the junction of the second and third portions of the lower score line, said upper score line second portion terminating at a point spaced from said lower score line second portion and said lower corner. Y Y 3. The invention as recited, in claim 1 wherein said four sides are of substantially equal width, the apexes of said pair of opposed end closure panels being located substantially at the midpoint of the upper edge of their respective roof panels, and the point of intersection of said first score portion of each of said upper and lower score lines with the upper edge of the respective roof panels being substantially at the midpoint of said upper edge.

4. The invention as recited in claim 3 whereinsaid upper score line second portion extends in a diagonal straight line forming an angle with the upper edge of its respective roof panel, said angle being in the range from 30 to 40 and the plane of said one of said end closure panels forming an angle with said upper score line second portion.

5. A gable top container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the junction of the first and second portions of the upper'score line is adjacent and at a lower elevation than the weakened line of severance.

6. A paperboard blank for forming a container of rectangular formation and having a gable top, said blank being formed with laterally spaced apart score lines extending vertically from the lower edge to the upper edge of the blank, a score line extending transversely on the blank in downward spaced relation to the upper edge thereof, said latter score line, in conjunction with said vertically extending score lines, defining opposed front and rear wall panels and opposed side wall panels, a second transversely extending score line arranged intermediate the upper edge of said blank and said first transversely extending score line and defining, in conjunction therewith and with said vertically extending score lines, a front roof panel surmounting said front wall panel, a rear roof panel surmounting said rear wall panel, and an area surmounting each of said side wall panels, each of said areas being provided with converging score lines inclining upwardly from said first transverse score line to said second transverse score line and defining in each of said areas an end closure panel and a pair of fold-back panels hinged to the end closure panel, said second transversely extending score line, in conjunction with said vertically extending score lines, defining ridge panels surmounting said front and rear roof panels and each pair of said foldback panels, and a weakened line of severance traversing upper portion of said end closure panel and extending across a portion of said fold-back panels, wherein the improvement comprises upper and lower pry score lines located on each of said roof panels, said score lines defining an elongate beam section extending diagonally from the upper edge of its respective roof panel toward the lower corner thereof, the upper end of said beam section being tapered to terminate substantially at a point on said upper edge, said lower score line extending continuously from said upper edge to said lower comer, the lower end of said upper score line terminating at a point longitudinally spaced from said lower corner and laterally spaced from said lower score line, said lower end of said upper score line defining the lower'end of said beam section, the plane of an upper end portion of said closure panel lying along the upper end portion of the lower score line and the plane of a lower end portion of said closure panel lying adjacent and at a lower elevation than the lower end portion of the lower score line in the container formed and closed position of the blank.

7. The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein said lower score line includes first, second, and third portions, said lower score line second portion extending diagonally and downwardly along said respective roof panel at an angle between 35 and 45 with said upper edge of said respective roof panel, said lower score line first portion interconnecting the upper end of said lower score linesecond portion and said upper edge of said respective roof panel and lying along the plane of the upper end portion of the closure panel in the container formed, closed position, and said lower score line third portion interconnecting the lower end of said lower score line second portion and said lower corner; and said upper score line including first and second portions, said upper score line first portion interconnecting the upper end of said upper score line second portion and said upper edge of said respective roof panel, said upper score line second portion extending from the lower end of said second score portion in a downwardly converging direction toward the junction of the second and third portions of the lower score line, said upper score line second portion terminating at a point spaced from said lower score line second portion and said lower corner.

8. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said front and rear wall panels and said opposed side wall panels are of substantially equal width, and the upper end of said beam is substantially at the midpoint of the upper edge of said roof panels. 

1. A gable top container of sheet material including a tubular body having four side walls; a bottom closure fixed to said body; a pair of opposed roof panels inclining toward each other and overlying the top of said body; a pair of opposed end closure panels enfolded between said roof panels from the opposite gable ends formed by the latter; first and second pairs of fold-back panels, each pair of fold-back panels being joined to opposite sides of a respective one of said end closure panels along the fold lines which are in proximity with said roof panels, said fold-back panels being folded against the underside of said roof panels; a ridge panel surmounting each of said roof panels; a ridge panel surmounting each of said fold-back panels, each pair of ridge panels surmounting a pair of fold-back panels being hinged together at the apex of the contiguous end closure panels and being folded about said hinge joinder in face-to-face relation between the ridge panels surmounting said roof panels, wherein the improvement comprises lower and upper score lines located in each of said pair of roof panels, said lower and upper score lines each having upper and lower end parts defining an elongate beam section extending diagonally from the upper edge of their respective roof panels toward the lower corner thereof, the upper end of said beam section being tapered to terminate substantially in a point on said upper edge, said lower score line extending continuously from said upper edge to said lower corner, the lower end of said upper score line terminating at a point longitudinally spaced from said lower corner and laterally spaced from said lower score line, said lower end of said upper score line defining the lower end of said beam section, the plane of an upper end portion of said closure panel lying along the upper end portion of the lower score line and the plane of the lower end portion of said closure panel lying adjacent and at a lower elevation than the lower end portion of the lower score line.
 2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said lower score line includes first, second and third score portions, said lower score line second portion extending generally outwardly from the plane of the upper end portion of the closure panel, said lower score line first portion interconnecting the upper end of said lower score line second portion and said upper edge and lying along the plane of the upper end portion of the closure panel, and said lower score line third portion interconnecting the lower end of said lower score line second portion and said lower corner forming a triangle with the plane of the lower portion of the closure panel, and said upper score line includes first and second score portions, said upper score line first portion interconnecting the upper end of said upper score line second portion and said upper edge, said upper score line second portion extending from the lower end of said upper score line first portion in a downwardly converging direction toward the junction of the second and third portions of the lower score line, said upper score line second portion terminating at a point spaced from said lower score line second portion and said lower corner.
 3. The inventiOn as recited in claim 1 wherein said four sides are of substantially equal width, the apexes of said pair of opposed end closure panels being located substantially at the midpoint of the upper edge of their respective roof panels, and the point of intersection of said first score portion of each of said upper and lower score lines with the upper edge of the respective roof panels being substantially at the midpoint of said upper edge.
 4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said upper score line second portion extends in a diagonal straight line forming an angle with the upper edge of its respective roof panel, said angle being in the range from 30* to 40* and the plane of said one of said end closure panels forming an angle with said upper score line second portion.
 5. A gable top container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the junction of the first and second portions of the upper score line is adjacent and at a lower elevation than the weakened line of severance.
 6. A paperboard blank for forming a container of rectangular formation and having a gable top, said blank being formed with laterally spaced apart score lines extending vertically from the lower edge to the upper edge of the blank, a score line extending transversely on the blank in downward spaced relation to the upper edge thereof, said latter score line, in conjunction with said vertically extending score lines, defining opposed front and rear wall panels and opposed side wall panels, a second transversely extending score line arranged intermediate the upper edge of said blank and said first transversely extending score line and defining, in conjunction therewith and with said vertically extending score lines, a front roof panel surmounting said front wall panel, a rear roof panel surmounting said rear wall panel, and an area surmounting each of said side wall panels, each of said areas being provided with converging score lines inclining upwardly from said first transverse score line to said second transverse score line and defining in each of said areas an end closure panel and a pair of fold-back panels hinged to the end closure panel, said second transversely extending score line, in conjunction with said vertically extending score lines, defining ridge panels surmounting said front and rear roof panels and each pair of said fold-back panels, and a weakened line of severance traversing upper portion of said end closure panel and extending across a portion of said fold-back panels, wherein the improvement comprises upper and lower pry score lines located on each of said roof panels, said score lines defining an elongate beam section extending diagonally from the upper edge of its respective roof panel toward the lower corner thereof, the upper end of said beam section being tapered to terminate substantially at a point on said upper edge, said lower score line extending continuously from said upper edge to said lower corner, the lower end of said upper score line terminating at a point longitudinally spaced from said lower corner and laterally spaced from said lower score line, said lower end of said upper score line defining the lower end of said beam section, the plane of an upper end portion of said closure panel lying along the upper end portion of the lower score line and the plane of a lower end portion of said closure panel lying adjacent and at a lower elevation than the lower end portion of the lower score line in the container formed and closed position of the blank.
 7. The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein said lower score line includes first, second, and third portions, said lower score line second portion extending diagonally and downwardly along said respective roof panel at an angle between 35* and 45* with said upper edge of said respective roof panel, said lower score line first portion interconnecting the upper end of said lower score line second portion and said upper edge of said respective roof panel and lying along the planE of the upper end portion of the closure panel in the container formed, closed position, and said lower score line third portion interconnecting the lower end of said lower score line second portion and said lower corner; and said upper score line including first and second portions, said upper score line first portion interconnecting the upper end of said upper score line second portion and said upper edge of said respective roof panel, said upper score line second portion extending from the lower end of said second score portion in a downwardly converging direction toward the junction of the second and third portions of the lower score line, said upper score line second portion terminating at a point spaced from said lower score line second portion and said lower corner.
 8. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said front and rear wall panels and said opposed side wall panels are of substantially equal width, and the upper end of said beam is substantially at the midpoint of the upper edge of said roof panels. 